Mata Amritanandamayi Devi - The Hugging Saint of India

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

“Only when human beings
are able to perceive and acknowledge the Self in each other can there be real
peace.” - Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Mata
Amritanandamayi is a highly revered spiritual leader of India to have millions of followers not only in India but also
abroad. She is much reputed as ‘The Hugging Saint’ or ‘ Amma ' meaning mother.
She is well known for her humanitarian activities. Ma Amritanandamayi offers a hug to everyone who
approaches her and is known to have hugged over 50,000 people in a single day.
She might have hugged at least 30 million people in the past 30 years. She
spread the message of love and compassion to the world. Her Devotees and the
people who have visited her experience the positive aura around her. Even if
you go to her with a troubled mind and mind heavy with troubles after meeting
her one would feel as if the burdens were taken away by the loving and
comforting embrace of the Mother.

She was born as Sudhamani in the small village near Quilon (Kollam) in Kerala on
September 27, 1953 to a fishing family. She had to end her education at the age
of nine to take care of her siblings. She is said to have had many mystical
experiences even as a child.Mata Amritanandamayi received several
awards and recognitions for her humanitarian activities and has helped millions
of people through her Charitable Organization all over the World. Some of these
activities include providing food, shelter for the homeless, medical aid,
hospitals, pension to widows, educational institutions, orphanages, home for
the aged, helping victims of natural disasters etc.

There are several books, magazines, CD’s
and TV programs which where made on this saint. A film on the life of this
Saint ‘Darshan – The Embrace’ was officially selected for
showcasing at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.